Dowagiac split a non-league softball doubleheader with visiting Watervliet Tuesday.

The Panthers took the first game 7-5, while the Chieftains won the nightcap 8-3.

“We played well against a very good Watervliet team,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “They can really hit the ball and it showed tonight, but Megan (Soderbloom) was able to keep them off balance in the second game and shut them down while we built a big lead.”

Soderbloom struck out 10 and allowed three runs on seven hits in the nightcap.

Offensively, Dowagiac finished with 11 hits, including a 3-for-3 performance by Mickie Kiggins with a double. McKenzie Herter was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and Taylor Hulett was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

“Our bats started to come alive tonight especially late in game two,” Behnke said. “We have talked about getting that big hit with runners on base and having the confidence to do so and we did that in game two.”

Hulett suffered the loss in the opening game.

Dowagiac (20-14) had 10 hits against the Panthers led by Alyssa Allen, who was 2-for-3 with a double. Marissa Dodd was 3-for-4 and Riley Daly was 2-for-3.

Megan Huey, who also doubled in the second game, had a double and two RBIs in the opener.

 

WATERVLIET 7-3, DOWAGIAC 5-8

At Dowagiac

First Game

Watervliet      003     022     0 – 7 11 2

Dowagiac        010     400     0 – 5 10 2

Karlee Liles (W) and Cali McLean; Taylor Hulett (L, 9-6) and Megan Soderbloom

2B: Alyssa Allen (D), Megan Huey (D)

HR: McLean (W)

 

Second Game

Watervliet      000     000     3 – 3 7 4

Dowagiac        010     016     x – 8 11 2

Megan Soderbloom (W, 9-5) and Mickie Kiggins; Kara Liles (L) and Sydnie Green

2B: McKenzie Herter (D) 2, Taylor Hulett (D), Kiggins (D), Megan Huey (D)

Varsity record: Dowagiac 20-14